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MARK MORAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Ron Williams says the menu at Harry’s on Carverton, which is set to open at the end of this month in Kingston Twp., will change weekly.

KINGSTON TWP. — Some might remember the days of walking to the corner deli for penny candy and other little treats. This community-oriented environment is something Ron Williams hopes to recreate at his restaurant, set to open at the end of this month at 217 Carverton Road.

Harry’s on Carverton is situated along the road to Frances Slocum State Park, Cross Creek Community Church and Back Mountain Harvest Assembly. Some might remember it as “That’s A Wrap,” or even as “The Country Deli,” or simply “John’s Deli.”

With Williams running the show, Harry’s on Carverton will serve homemade, locally sourced food for lunch and dinner with a dining space to accommodate 22 people, and a takeout menu.

Although Williams is passionate about homemade, local food, the food industry was not something Williams had planned on pursuing when he was younger — with a family of engineers, he went off to Cornell University with a scholarship in civil engineering. Surrounded by friends majoring in hotel and restaurant management, Williams quickly discovered a passion for the business.

“There’s always something different going on,” Williams said. “You meet different people, and get to know the regulars. It’s the part that I enjoy.”

Working in restaurants has taken Williams around Pennsylvania and across the country to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where he worked as a private chef on an author’s estate.

He and his wife, Noralee — who, with a background in pastry-making, will be the creative mastermind behind the signature cookies and a whipped cream pound cake with lemon curd and fresh berries, among other delectable pastries — moved back to Pennsylvania when they were expecting a son, Jackson, who just finished his first year studying finance at the University of Pittsburgh.

While Jackson was growing up, Williams found work that would allow him to spend time with his son — running a restaurant is time-consuming, and Williams said he wanted to be around to coach Little League or soccer and make memories with his family.

But now that he has the time, and has found a location, he’s opening Harry’s, named after his father. Jackson is helping get the business started while he’s home for the summer.

“It’s nice because I know my dad has always wanted to open a restaurant like this,” Williams said. “I’m happy to be around and help him out.”

Williams plans to open Harry’s for lunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Depending on community feedback, he’s considering a potential Saturday barbecue or Sunday brunch. For the time being, lunch will be available in the restaurant or to go, and six or seven entrees will be available for takeout for dinner, with a different menu every week.

Williams prides himself on local, homemade food — everything that they make at Harry’s will be homemade, from roast turkey and beef, to salad dressings and sauces.

“(Local food) is the big push right now,” Williams said, “but I’ve been doing it forever. It makes sense.”

Williams will buy as much from local businesses as he can — kielbasa, Brace’s orchard, farmers markets, honey, local dairies and his own herbs.

CJ Pollick, the building’s owner, remembers walking to the deli to buy penny candy. He foresees success for Williams.

“Ron is a good guy,” Pollick said. “He’s going to do well there.”

Contact the writer:

abutkiewicz@citizensvoice.com

570-821-2072 @anniebutkiewicz

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